Spirited Reviews July 2015

The following are new products we've received and other products reviewed during July 2015. Products are listed according to the diffordsguide rating awarded to them. Please click on product names for tasting notes and further information.

Edinburgh GinJuniper and coriander dominate with zesty citrus and a pleasing creamy nuttiness.

The West Winds The Sabre GinVery citrusy with generous coriander seeds over a classic London dry piney juniper base, with lemon meringue pie, cardamom and cracked black pepper.

Suze Aromatic BittersMany will use these bitters in drinks that traditionally call for Angostura, this aromatic bitters from Suze has more pronounced gentian rooty bitterness.

Suze Red Aromatic BittersThe colour and style of these red aromatic bitters cries out for use in a Sazerac. Indeed they work well, leaving a distinct long lingering bitter gentian finish so you may want to use more sparingly than say Peychard's.

Old Krupnik Liqueur With its complex spice, this honey liqueur is best appreciated served neat, slightly warmed, preferably in a balloon glass.

diffordsguide rating 4/5 [recommended]

Samuel Adams Rebel IPADon't be put off by the mainstream branding, this is a good full-bodied IPA with complex bitter hop character but also overly heavy caramel sweetness.

Santamania Vodka La Virgen Cerveza PuraDistilled from beer with hops rather than the more usual neutral spirit, this vodka is characterful and robust with grainy character and white chocolate, aniseed and salty seaweed.